Nakuru 3:16 Newsletter

October Newsletter

Jambo-

There have been exciting new updates from our friends in Kenya. The girls program is continuing to progress quickly. It is thrilling to hear the excitement of the young women who are now excelling in their education and vocational training. The younger children are also now in school and doing well. The girls are taking ownership of an impressive gardening program that is greatly improving their diets.

The facility itself has been totally transformed. The facility has seen many improvements, including beds, kitchenware, a classroom and a new coat of paint, and though modest is a very warm place to live.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, the implementation of a boys feeding program is now completely up and running. This is a great first step in improving the lives of those who are still living in the town dumps.

Our friend Daniel Bourassa recently returned from Kenya where filmed a video documentary about the Nakuru 3:16 project.  It is excellent and really gives an “up close and personal” perspective on the project and the girls.  You can watch the video on YouTube by clicking here. (Note: The video is broken down into two parts.)  Please take a few minutes to watch the video as it is great to see the faces and hear the stories of the girls that are in the program.

Below is an update from Regina, the Nakuru 3:16 Program Director.

EDUCATION

NURSERY SCHOOL

The six children have been excited from day one in early May, 2009. The experience of waking up very early to the knowledge of bonding and learning new things has been refreshing for them and all of us.

Their teachers have also commented on the extreme neatness and good grooming of our children.

It is impressive to watch how the mothers are growing with their children. They have been extra cautious on the neatness of their children, and very punctual in taking and picking their children up from school. The mothers have shown a great commitment in coaching their kids during their homework.

Some of the children have caught up with their classmates very fast.

The following are their results:

• VIRGINIA WANGARI 7 YEARS OLD – 176 MARKS OUT OF 220 MARKS (POSITION 17 OUT OF 33)
• MAUREEN MORIJO 7 YEARS OLD – 102 MARKS OUT OF 220 MARKS (POSITION 28 OUT OF 34)
• PAULINE NYAMBURA IRENE 7 YEARS OLD – 78 MARKS OUT OF 220 MARKS (POSITION 31 OUT OF 33)
• FAUZIA NJOKI 2 YEARS 9 MONTHS OLD – 65 MARKS OUT OF 220 MARKS (POSITION 33 OUT OF 34)
• PETER ERAMRAM 5 YEARS OLD – 53 MARKS OUT OF 220 (POSITION 34 OUT OF 34)
• PAULINE NYAMBURA ANN 3 YEARS OLD – 49 MARKS OUT OF 220 (POSITION 32 OUT OF 33)

Virginia had a great start! Maureen and the others need more coaching; it seems they had a difficult time adjusting.

It is amazing to see how well Virginia has performed. Virginia’s mother Monica had never been to school, but now Virginia is getting an opportunity that Monica never had. Monica did not know how to read or write until coming to Nakuru 3:16 and attending Adult Education Classes. Monica is very proud of the success of her little daughter.

PRIMARY SCHOOL

The term ended on the 7th of August, 2009. It was a great and smooth one. Seems all the children were well adapted to the school and the curriculum.

The following are their results:

• JOHN KAMAU 8 YEARS OLD – CLASS ONE – 135 MARKS OUT OF 350 MARKS (POSITION 71 OUT OF 105)
• JOSEPH MWANGI 8 YEARS – CLASS ONE – He was falling behind so he was taken back to pre-school for basics he had missed for the ended term.
• DANIEL MBOTE 8 YEARS – CLASS TWO – 275 MARKS OUT OF 400 MARKS (POSITION 41 OUT OF 128)
• JANE MORAA 9 YEARS OLD – CLASS THREE – 232 OUT OF 400 MARKS (POSITION 69 OUT OF 119)
• AGNES NAPEYO 13 YEARS OLD – CLASS FIVE – 174 OUT OF 500 MARKS (POSITION 90 OUT OF 114)
• ELIZABETH ANGULE AND ELIZABETH WANGARE – CLASS SIX – Their results will be released after opening of schools.
• MARGARET NJERI – CLASS SEVEN – 200 MARKS OUT OF 500 MARKS (POSITION 90 OUT OF 103)

Jane and Daniel performed best; the others need to put in more effort.

ADULT EDUCATION

The mothers had a chance to take the examinations for the different levels, and are being graded by teachers from the ministry of Adult Education. The classes are going well. Some of the levels have already received their results and others have not.

The results for the first level:

• ANN NYAMBURA – 320 MARKS OUT OF 500 MARKS
• SUSAN MUENI – 299 MARKS OUT OF 500 MARKS
• ESTHER MUTHONI – 278 OUT OF 500 MARKS
• LEAH ATABO – 256 OUT OF 500 MARKS
• ESTHER WAMBUI – 237 OUT OF 500 MARKS

The other results have not yet been released.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND HAND SKILLS

Most of the women have shown much interest in this session.

Knitting – they have been able to make almost five sets of the woolen mats, Monica and Regina’s team being the most committed with two complete sets.

Beading – They have also produced many necklaces and bracelets.

Liquid Soap making – they have produced 20 liters which they used domestically.

Hair dressing and Dress making have been a bit slow.

Recommendations

Class work could be made better by the availability of reading materials i.e. a library

Vocational training would be boosted by availing materials and qualified trainers for the women.

SPIRITUAL

The women have been meeting every morning for devotions, every girls has a day to lead the devotions. They have become so powerful.

Every Sunday the women and the children attend different churches including the PCEA Kiamunyeki Parish churches and PCEA Nakuru West Church. In all the services, they have been given a chance for presentations.

SOCIAL

The women have been undergoing group and individual counseling by the Kenya School of Professional Studies, the team has been thorough and the women responding well.

The women and the children had a chance of attending swimming sessions at one of the best hotels in town, Grace land Hotel. They were all very excited and couldn’t believe that they could ever have a chance of going to such a hotel. They had fun and played with their children in a relaxed atmosphere.

ECONOMICAL

Kitchen Garden – The rains have been lost for a while now although we are still eating the greens, the garden needs to be re-done. We are in the process of clearing ready for planting again.

Chicken Project – Some of the chickens died due to an outbreak and some were prepared for the women and children. We have now around seven chickens. The few eggs we get are enjoyed by children.

Charcoal Briquettes – We acquired the machine given to us by PCEA Nakuru West, Church. We have also collected the charcoal dust and the saw dust and waste newspapers needed for demonstration. The demonstration will be carried out by one of the Urban Harvesters during this week.

We hope the charcoal will substitute the firewood which has become very expensive and later on become an income generating project for Nakuru 3:16.

BOYS FEEDING PROGRAM

The feeding of the 30 boys at Nakuru 3:16 has been going very well. The turnout has been consistent throughout the weeks. Their devotions and counseling are also doing well. We are in the process of making Nakuru 3:16 membership cards for both boys and the girls. We have also been offering the boys a chance to take baths.

The boys were recently bought a football (soccer ball) which they are making good use of. Every morning they go for practice at the Nakuru, Afraha Stadium which is five minutes walk from the city centre. On the 22^nd of August, 2009, the committee organized a tournament for them at Rohi schools in Kiamunyeki. The team performed well despite not having kits and playing shoes (they played bare foot). It is amazing to see how they are transforming especially in discipline.

Challenges

The medical needs need to be looked into since they are becoming pronounced.